ZOREN: And the Emmy Award goes to ...

This image released by HBO shows Woody Harrelson, left, and Matthew McConaughey from the HBO series "True Detective." Both Harrelson and McConaughey were nominated for Emmy Awards for best actor in a drama series on Thursday, July 10, 2014, for their roles in the series. The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards will be presented Aug. 25 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/HBO, Jim Bridges)

The usual suspects, accompanied by a handful of newcomers destined to become usual suspects, dominate this year’s Emmy nominations.

2013 Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey and his “True Detectives” co-star, Woody Harrelson, make the Best Actor race interesting in the Drama categories. McConaughey, who is enjoying a good year, is about the only one I can see toppling Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” from his perennial perch in this category.

Cranston, of course, also scored a major accolade in June when he was given Broadway’s Tony Award for playing Lyndon Baines Johnson in “All the Way.” I would not be surprised if Cranston and LBJ meet again on Broadway, as Robert Schenkkan’s sequel to “All the Way,” “The Great Society,” is now on stage at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland.

Jon Hamm competes for “Mad Men,” which, for the past two seasons, has greatly diminished in quality. Jeff Daniels of “The Newsroom” and Kevin Spacey from “House of Cards” round out the field. Personally, I would applaud the Emmy going to Daniels, but I think the main contest is between Cranston and McConaughey.

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Robin Wright from “House of Cards” has a chance to take the Emmy from Juliana Margulies of “The Good Wife” or Clare Danes from “Homeland.” The Netflix series is as engrossing as the CBS or Showtime programs, and Wright is a crucial contributor to its success.

“Homeland” remains one of my favorite programs, and I’m a tad miffed it did not receive a nomination for “Best Drama Series.” Neither did “The Good Wife,” although the inferior “Mad Men” did.

Joining Wright, Danes and Margulies in the Best Actress for Drama field are Kerry Washington, who always looks so marvelous, for “Scandal,” Lizzy Caplan for “Masters of Sex,” and Michelle Dockery for “Downton Abbey.”

Notice the Emmy nominees feature six candidates per categories for 2014. The Best Actress group is strong. In spite of my regard for “Homeland” and for Wright’s work on “House of Cards,” I would give the Emmy to the tried, true, and consistent Margulies.

Among supporting players in a drama, Maggie Smith of “Downton Abbey” must have an edge. Besides being one of the pantheon performers in stage and screen history, The Mag aces every scene with the critical glint in her eye, her acid way of making her feelings known, and the lack of humility with which she faces defeat or comeuppance.

Christina Hendricks is one actor whose character registers on “Mad Men.” Anna Gunn deserves her nomination as the wife and mother on “Breaking Bad.” Lena Headey represents “Game of Thrones.” Christine Baranski never flags at being a delight on “The Good Wife.” Joanna Froggatt works with subtlety that is the opposite of Maggie Smith’s imperial presence on “Downton Abbey.”

I’d give the award to Smith, but I would smile if the Emmy presenter handed it to Gunn.

I see the Best Supporting Actor for Drama going to either Peter Dinklage of “Game of Thrones” or Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad,” with Paul being the more likely to receive it as this was “Breaking Bad’s” last season.

Josh Charles from “The Good Wife” is a perennial nominee who would merit an award. Mandy Patinkin from “Homeland” (who never did honor Delco actor Marcus Stevens’ Facebook request to see him off-Broadway in “Forbidden Broadway”), Jon Voight of “Ray Donovan,” and Jim Carter from “Downtown Abbey” complete the category.

“Breaking Bad” looks set to take its necessarily final Emmy nomination for Best Drama. “Game of Thrones” or “House of Cards” is its most potent competition, although “True Detective” could be a spoiler in several categories. “Downton Abbey” and “Mad Men” complete the half-dozen.

Among nominees in the Comedy fields, “Orange is the New Black” has a chance to upset the status quo and glom some Emmys.

Taylor Schilling, whose character is the focus of the federal prison adventures depicted on the Netflix series, has a chance to outpost Amy Poehler for “Parks and Recreation” or Julia Louis-Dreyfus for “Veep” (although I don’t see how an award for being comic acting can go to anyone but Louis-Dreyfus).

In the male ranks, perennial favorites Jim Parsons from “Big Bang Theory” and Louis C.K. of “Louie” are front-runners. Parsons also received a supporting actor nod for his turn in “The Normal Heart.”

Ricky Gervais in “Derek” doesn’t capture the American imagination. It would be a nice change if Don Cheadle prevailed in “House of Lies.” William H. Macy is his usual great in “Shameless,” and Matt LeBlanc, the best from the “Friends” cast, is sweetly self-effacing in “Episodes.” My guess is Louis C.K. Cheadle or Macy won’t upset, but would be worthy choices if they did.

“Modern Family” is so acclaimed — Why? — I think Julie Bowen has a constant edge in the Best Supporting Actress race in comedy.

Mayim Bialik is constantly brilliant on “Big Bang Theory.” You wait for Kate Mulgrew’s scenes on “Orange is the New Black.” Anna Chlumsky in “Veep,” Allison Janney in “Mom,” and Kate McKinnon on “Saturday Night Live” complete the field.

Even though I sneered in a way at the Bowen nomination, I think it might be time for Ty Burrell to be recognized for his “Modern Family” contribution. Co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Fred Armisen of “Portlandia,” Tony Hale of “Veep,” Andre Braugher of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Braugher once played Macbeth in Philadelphia), and Adam Driver of “Girls” round out the group.

“Modern Family” and “Big Bang Theory” once again appear in Best Comedy competition with “Veep,” “Silicon Valley,” “Louie,” and “Orange is the New Black,” which might take this year’s prize.

It’s twins for the Taffs

Channel 6 news anchor Brian Taff and his wife, Mara, who works in 6ABC’s creative services department, added two boys to their family July 2.

Brian Taff is anchor of the “Action News” broadcast at 4 p.m. on Channel 6 and the 10 p.m. news show WPVI puts together for Channel 17. He came to 6ABC in 2009. He and Mara married in August 2012. Brady and Sawyer are the couple’s first children.

The wrong choice

Bringing Rosie O’Donnell back to “The View” is a blunder.

The only reason I can see for bringing Rosie back to the table is to create controversy and commotion that might generate headlines, positive or not.

Rifts between “The View” panelists, whether the adversaries are Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar or Rosie and the next “conservative choice — Sarah Palin? — often get reported and are prime material for shows like “The Soup” or “Tosh.0.”

O’Donnell’s presence will mean plenty of rifts.

The woman is fractious. She is doctrinaire and kneejerk in her reactions to any issue, particularly the ones she raises. An almost religious attachment to liberalism and the politically correct cause Rosie to spout her strong convictions, even if facts don’t support them.

I’m the first to say that facts, while absolute, do not dictate opinion. I can read a list of the same 10 facts as someone else and come to a different conclusion about what they mean and the course of action they should promulgate.

O’Donnell often illustrates why television is basically devoid of authentic news presentation today. She will proceed without facts, yet present information as if it is verified and irrefutable. She is not alone in this. MSNBC, Fox News Channel, and even CNN and the traditional networks are guilty of the same.

The difference is Rosie is a ramrodder. She shouts down her competition. She argues rather than discusses. She is disruptive, and I would bet she is unreformed. “Reformed” would not mean Rosie should alter stances to go against her beliefs and make them suit me or anyone else. It would mean she is able to listen and respond in a civil and cordial manner.

I’m not looking for “The View” to become a formal, stodgy tea party. Fireworks and passion are OK. But discussion has to be rational or inclusive.

Agree with Behar or not, she’s funny and makes provocative observations. Roll eyes at Hasselbeck or not, she present points of view you don’t often hear on liberal-oriented television. Rosie can’t help but being divisive. She lives for it. It is impossible for her to cease raving until she prevails or causes a tumult.

The most successful panelists on “The View” have been the two moderators, Meredith Vieira and Whoopi Goldberg. Barbara Walters also gets high marks for keeping the tone of exchanges conversational and open to debate that doesn’t devolve to diatribe.

I enjoyed Rosie O’Donnell when she was the host of her own morning show. The format gave her room to spout, but it made her kinder to her guests. I also applauded her for discovering and introducing talent, particularly Broadway actors and cabaret performers who do not generally receive the exposure they merit as entertainers and personalities.

Jenny McCarthy, who allegedly took Hasselbeck’s place as the alternative thinker, and Sherri Shepherd, who brought liveliness to the “View” set, are departing after this year, leaving Goldberg as the only panelist being retained. Whoopi has the strength to handle Rosie, but it is a wonder she would want that honor.

Let’s see who fills the co-host chairs occupied by Walters, McCarthy, and Shepherd, and if Goldberg has to referee between O’Donnell and Palin.